If you're thinking about pursuing a real estate career in Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, or any other city in the state, you'll need to obtain a Florida real estate license. To earn your Florida real estate license, you must be at least 18 years old, complete the 63-hour pre-licensing education requirement with an approved school, pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Examination, and submit an application. Although the process to become a real estate agent is similar in many states, each state requires that you complete a few unique steps.
Steps to Become a Florida Real Estate Agent
All of the steps below are necessary requirements to become a Florida real estate agent however completing them in this particular order is not necessary.
1. Meet the prerequisites to earn a Florida real estate license.
To earn a real estate license in Florida, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a United States Social Security number.
2. Complete 63 hours of required pre-licensing education.
Before you can sit for the exam, you’ll need to complete 63 hours of pre-licensing education that is approved by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The 63-hour course completion can be used for 2 years from the date you pass the course final exam. The course can be completed before, during, or after you apply for licensure. If you are an attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar or if you have a four-year degree in real estate from an accredited institution of higher education,
you may be exempt from this requirement. If you need to complete the pre-licensing education requirement, take a look at the course options available to you.
View Licensing Packages
3. Apply for a Florida real estate sales associate license.
Prior to submitting your fingerprints, you need to submit an application and pay the required fee to obtain your license. The application can be found on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website, under the Real Estate Commission section. On average, it will take approximately four–six weeks for the state to process your application.
4. Have livescan fingerprints taken.
The state of Florida requires a criminal background check to be run on any candidate for professional licensure. Please note that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement requires that an application for licensure should precede the submission of your
livescan fingerprints. Make sure to bring two forms of identification with you to your fingerprinting appointment.
5. Schedule and pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam.
To earn your Florida real estate salesperson license, you must take and pass the state exam with a 75 percent or higher. You’ll need to schedule your exam through
Pearson Vue, either
online or by
phone. Be sure to bring two forms of valid signature identification—one of which must be government-issued—and your valid course completion slip to the exam. To feel fully confident going into exam day, take advantage of Kaplan's exam prep education.